The Federal Government says discussions on wage and allowance adjustments across key sectors are being accelerated, with agreed outcomes expected to be captured in the 2027 budget as preparations for fresh minimum wage negotiations continue.
Shoretire said the consultations extend beyond minimum wage adjustments to include broader salary and allowance issues across sectors such as health and education.
“Various discussions with health, education and other sectors that have lots of issues in terms of wages and allowances are ongoing and they are being fast-tracked so that the ones that are agreed will reflect in next year’s budget,” he stated.
He explained that the government had yet to establish a formal timetable for negotiations on a new national minimum wage, adding that relevant stakeholders would be informed when the process reached the appropriate stage.
“We are yet to announce the timetable for that, but background discussions are already ongoing. When it’s time to get the press involved in what has been proposed and what is being negotiated, it will be revealed to you,” Shoretire said.
Shoretire also disclosed that the Federal Government had responded to a complaint filed against it by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, at the International Labour Organization, ILO, meeting the September 1 deadline set by the organization for it’s response.
He said the response addressed outstanding issues raised in connection with the complaint, which was filed during the International Labour Conference in Geneva.
“Let me start with the ILO. We have met the deadline. We have responded to the request from ILO. I was there when a complaint was filed by the NLC against the Nigerian government at the ILO on some of the labour issues that are yet to be resolved in the country,” he said.
The permanent secretary explained that some issues raised in the initial complaint remained unresolved, resulting in the ILO setting a deadline for the government to provide further responses.
“We responded at the ILO, but we also got that certain areas were not addressed or were pending. So those ones were the ones that we got a deadline on September 1, and we have responded accordingly,” he added.
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The NLC had petitioned the ILO at the International Labour Conference in Geneva, alleging violations of workers’ rights under the Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949, also known as Convention No. 98.
The Congress accused the government of persistent violations, claiming that trade union leaders had been threatened, assaulted, intimidated and victimized. It asked the ILO committee to find Nigeria in breach of Articles 1, 2 and 4 of the convention.
Shoretire described such petitions as normal practice when workers believe labour-related issues are not receiving adequate attention.
On the outstanding wage award, the permanent secretary said the Federal Government had not directed that it be discontinued.
He added that additional incentives for workers and other citizens would be announced in the coming weeks, without providing further details.
The development comes amid pressure from organized labour for a review of the ₦70,000 national minimum wage approved in 2024. Labour unions have argued that rising living costs have eroded the purchasing power of the approved wage.
The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council, Trade Union Side, had recently called for the immediate establishment of a committee to negotiate a new minimum wage ahead of January 2027.
Shoretire, however, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to workers’ welfare and the proper conclusion of wage negotiations.
He urged labour correspondents to report accurately and fairly, warning that inaccurate reporting could heighten industrial tensions.
The Head of Press and Public Relations at the ministry, Annah Daniel, said the capacity-building workshop was designed to strengthen collaboration between the ministry and the media.
She said the programme also addressed emerging issues in the world of work, including artificial intelligence, the gig economy, social security, migration, occupational safety and skills development.
The workshop provided an opportunity to discuss labour reporting and broader developments affecting workers, employers and the future of employment in Nigeria.
The Conclave
